Diane Thompson, Broker

Excerpt by Shelley Williamson for Condolivingtv.com

Condo living is no longer just a choice for first-time home buyers struggling to get into an address of their own - more and more mature buyers are choosing the lifestyle for its peace of mind and lack of responsibility.

"Downsizing" as it has come to be known, is a popular option for retirees or anyone who prefers to leave behind the worries of caring for a single-family home, for one with everything under one roof.

"People will often start looking one to two years in advance of when they want to move or are going to retire," says Bob Carmichael, sales manager for Medican. "It is not a bad time to be buying during construction because in the time it takes to build their homes will go up considerably in price before they sell."

While some buyers choose a condominium lifestyle because its allows them to travel for months at a time without worrying about their pipes freezing or security of prized possessions, others move in and never board a plane again.

The wealth of amenities under one roof, paired with a built-in community that stems from like-minded and similarly aged residents living in close proximity, and nearness to shopping, transportation corridors and services are also attractive features that also figure into downsizing decisions, says Carmichael.